Harmagian

Harmagians are a powerful and wealthy species within the Galactic Commons. Notable Harmagian characters include Ghuh'loloan and Lum'matp.

Biology and appearance
Despite Harmagians' warmongering past, they are noted not to be very physically intimidating: they are mollusk-like blobs without bones. They have yellow skin, eyestalks, and chin tendrils that they use to communicate with. Males and females can be distinguished by the spots across their backs. Because they are invertebrates, they get around very slowly on their own. To keep up with the other species in the GC, Harmagians use motorized carts. They have extremely sensitive skin and are also known to have very finicky stomachs, necessitating a restricted diet and the avoidance of hot food. It is theorized that their physical limitations have actually been a benefit to them, forcing them to create more advanced tech and allowing other species to underestimate them, making them easier to conquer.

Offspring
Harmagians leave their offspring in the care of specialized facilities, where the polyps spend the time they need to develop attached to a rock, fed by a nutrient brine that cradles them with gentle artificial waves. Little buds develop into tentacles and the brain grows until the polyp is ready and detaches from the rock wall. This is seen as its death, as its behavior changes radically, from passive and stationary polyp to an infant Harmagian, that begin to explore their brine filled tanks. At first their movement is uncoordinated, but over time they become proficient in the use of their own tentacles and new bodies. Somewhere around this time their first memories are formed.

Harmagian children are raised in schools and do not live with their biological parents.

Culture
Harmagians pre-GC had a vast empire, enslaving many less technologically advanced species including the Akaraks. After becoming involved in a long, bloody war with the Aeluons, the Harmagians and Aeluon negotiated peace with the Aandrisks mediating, creating the GC.

Harmagians are known to be very rich, working on their ships being one of the best paying jobs for spacers. They also are known to be big sponsors of the arts, Blue's biggest patrons being Harmagian. Manners are very important to Harmagians, especially the relationship between hosts and guests. Guests who do not behave properly are as bad as "petty thieves". The rules for Harmagian conduct are written in a large, tedious volume that most Harmagians are expected to follow.